Matt Pais' Top 20 celebrity interviews of 2012

Lenny Gilmore / RedEye

After talking extensively with the "Parks and Recreation" star and first-time feature screenwriter about music (hip-hop and its intersection with jazz, in particular), relationships, Oscars and even One Direction, a widely held belief was officially confirmed. Simply: She's awesome. Click here for the full Q&A

After talking extensively with the "Parks and Recreation" star and first-time feature screenwriter about music (hip-hop and its intersection with jazz, in particular), relationships, Oscars and even One Direction, a widely held belief was officially confirmed. Simply: She's awesome. Click here for the full Q&A (Lenny Gilmore / RedEye)

I probably don't need to defend this choice, but I will. Not all comedians are funny in conversation. Not all can speak sincerely without seeming like they're trying to prove they can be serious. Ferrell and Galifianakis are as ideal as it gets in both departments: funny when it calls for it, revealing and engaged when appropriate. I challenged them to get into character if I did, and it went swimmingly. Click here for the full Q&A

I probably don't need to defend this choice, but I will. Not all comedians are funny in conversation. Not all can speak sincerely without seeming like they're trying to prove they can be serious. Ferrell and Galifianakis are as ideal as it gets in both departments: funny when it calls for it, revealing and engaged when appropriate. I challenged them to get into character if I did, and it went swimmingly. Click here for the full Q&A (Lenny Gilmore / RedEye)